KUALA LUMPUR: Following the arrest of seven youths in connection the deadly fire at the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah school, police are investigating the case as mischief by fire and murder.
The youths aged between 11 and 18 will be remanded until Sept 22. The case will be investigated under Section 435 of the Penal Code for mischief by fire and Section 302 for murder.
Kuala Lumpur Police chief Datuk Amar Singh Ishar Singh said in a press conference on Saturday that six of the seven teenagers arrested tested positive for ganja.
When asked, Amar said that the motive was believed to be from a misunderstanding due to teasing between the suspects and some of the tahfiz students several days before the fire.
He also said that two of the youths also had police records - one for rioting and another for theft of a vehicle.
Amar said some of the youths are school leavers and others were schooling at schools nearby the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah school.
Amar said that police also seized clothes, helmets and a motorcycle from the suspects.
Amar said that investigations show that an accelerant was used and that two gas cylinders were moved from the lower floor of the school to the upper floor.
Amar also urged the public to stop the circulation of viral messages regarding the case.
"Stop this, because it will affect the investigation and the process in court," he said.
The 5.15 am fire at the tahfiz school resulted in the death of 21 students and two teachers. Six others students sustained injuries.
Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/09/16/six-of-seven-teens-arrested-tested-positive-for-drugs/#8HvfhRAzymLkebDK.99
